Ramnaresh Sarwan was happy to take the responsibility of leading West Indies into an increasingly strong lead over South Africa in the second Test. Sarwan, who missed the opening match, hit 93 not out, sharing an unbroken 78 with Dwayne Bravo going into day five.
"We needed someone to bat through
the day, and that became my responsibility," Sarwan said.
"It was important for me and Dwayne to pick up any singles that were on offer, and to rotate the strike."
At stumps, the home side had a lead of 51, with five second innings wickets in hand.
Bravo is another of the four players who returned to the side after their sponsorship dispute was ended.
The others were Brian Lara, who hit 196 in the first innings, and Chris Gayle, who took 4-50 to bowl South Africa out for 398 on Monday.
Sarwan lost the vice-captaincy as the row brewed last January, and was leapfrogged to the captaincy by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
But his thoughts were on more direct matters as he looked to bat South Africa out of the match on a slow pitch with variable bounce.
"Tomorrow we will have to start all over again," he added.
"If we can get close to 219 runs ahead that should set South Africa a good challenge."
However, spinner Nicky Boje, who bowled Lara for four in the second innings, argued: "The match is still very much in the balance."
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The match is still very much in the balance
